Western Mindanao Command, AFP

Happy 56th Birthday to Lt. General Donald M. Gumiran, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command! Your inspiring leadership, steadfast dedication to peace and security, and commitment to public service continue to make a lasting impact on the community and the nation. May God bless you with good health, strength, wisdom, and many more meaningful years of service as you continue leading WESTMINCOM toward lasting peace, resilience, and development across Western Mindanao.

Local execs welcome special award for WestMinCom chief  Local executives in Central Mindanao welcomed the special award given by TopNewsAsia Magazine to the current commander of the Western Mindanao Command, saying it also recognized their continuing support for WestMinCom’s peacebuilding programs.

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Congratulations, Lt. General Donald M. Gumiran PA, Commander, Western Mindanao Command, for being recognized as one of TopNewsAsia’s distinguished “Nation Builders: Leading Men” Awardees.

Your unwavering leadership, steadfast dedication to peace and security, and genuine commitment to serving the Filipino people continue to inspire not only the men and women of WESTMINCOM, but the entire nation. Guided by your leadership philosophy — “Drive the Information Environment, Mentor and Motivate, and God Above All” — and through the implementation of WESTMINCOM CARES (Collective Action for Resilience, Economy, and Security), the Command continues to advance peace, stability, resilience, and sustainable development across Western Mindanao.

Your Team WESTMINCOM is truly honored and proud to serve alongside a leader whose professionalism, humility, and devotion to duty exemplify the finest ideals of military service and nation-building.

Congratulations, Sir! Your exemplary leadership, vision, and service continue to bring pride and inspiration to WESTMINCOM, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Filipino people.

WESTMINCOM, Stakeholders Sustain Peace and Development Gains Across Western Mindanao

The sustained peace and development initiatives across the Areas of Responsibility of the Western Mindanao Command continue to gain momentum as government agencies, local government units, security forces, and local communities further strengthen their collaboration in promoting security, public safety, conflict resolution, and inclusive development throughout Mindanao.

Both major peace-building activities conducted on 19 May 2026 in Lanao del Sur and Zamboanga del Sur were attended by Brigadier General Bayani Curaming, Deputy Commander for Internal Defense Operations of the Western Mindanao Command, representing Lt. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran, underscoring WESTMINCOM’s steadfast support for peacebuilding and community-based security initiatives across Western Mindanao.

In Taraka, Lanao del Sur, the Joint Ceremonial Turnover of loose fi****ms under the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program was successfully conducted at the Municipal Gymnasium through the collective efforts of participating local government units, local communities, traditional and religious leaders, and the 5th Infantry (DUTY BOUND) Battalion under the operational control of the 103rd Infantry (HARIBON) Brigade.

The activity was graced by Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento, the newly installed Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, who served as Guest of Honor and Speaker, alongside local officials and sectoral stakeholders from the municipalities of Mulondo, Taraka, Lumba-Bayabao, and Tamparan.

A total of 108 loose fi****ms of various calibers and types—including sniper rifles, assault rifles, rocket-propelled gr***de launchers, machine guns, carbines, shotguns, and pistols—were voluntarily turned over during the ceremony. The initiative forms part of the continuing efforts to reduce the proliferation of unregistered fi****ms, prevent the escalation of rido and other community-based conflicts, and reinforce public safety and stability across Lanao del Sur.

Brigadier General Billy O. Dela Rosa, Commander of the 103rd Infantry (HARIBON) Brigade, emphasized that reducing the number of loose fi****ms significantly contributes to the prevention of violence and creates greater opportunities for peaceful conflict resolution within communities. He further stressed that peace can only flourish when communities, local leaders, and security forces work together with trust, sincerity, and a shared commitment to the welfare of future generations.

On the same day, the Province of Zamboanga del Sur commemorated its 5th Insurgency-Free Anniversary alongside the implementation of the SALW Management Program at Pavilion Hall, Brgy. Dao, Pagadian City. The celebration served as a strong affirmation of the province’s hard-earned gains in peace, security, and development through unity and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.

The event was spearheaded by Governor Divina Grace Yu together with Major General Yegor Rey P. Barroquillo Jr., Commander of Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN and the 1st Infantry Division, and was likewise graced by Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento. The activity highlighted the province’s continuing commitment to sustaining peace, strengthening security mechanisms, and advancing inclusive development for all Zambosurians.

Anchored on strong collaboration, mutual trust, and active community participation, WESTMINCOM and its partners remain steadfast in supporting initiatives that foster stability, strengthen governance, address the root causes of conflict, and build safer, more resilient, and development-oriented communities for present and future generations.

Lt. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, called on all stakeholders, local leaders, and communities across Western Mindanao to continue protecting and sustaining the gains of peace through unity, vigilance, and collective action.

“Peace is a shared responsibility that requires the sincere participation of every sector of society. The successes we are witnessing today in Lanao del Sur and Zamboanga del Sur are clear evidence that when government forces, local government units, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and communities work together, we can overcome violence, prevent conflict, and build stronger, more resilient communities. I encourage everyone to continue supporting lawful initiatives, reject violence and extremism in all forms, and remain united in advancing peace, security, and development across Western Mindanao for the benefit of present and future generations,” Lt. Gen. Gumiran said.

WESTMINCOM Chief Recognized Among TopNewsAsia’s “Nation Builders: Leading Men” Awardees

CAMP NAVARRO, Zamboanga City — Lieutenant General Donald M. Gumiran PA, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM), was recognized as one of the distinguished awardees during the prestigious “Nation Builders: Leading Men Awards” hosted by TopNewsAsia Magazine held on 19 May 2026 at the Chairman’s Lounge of Okada Manila.

The prestigious event gathered some of the country’s most respected leaders and nation-builders from the fields of governance, public service, national security, law enforcement, business, and local governance. Among the distinguished personalities recognized during the event were AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Philippine Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, former Congressman and businessman Mikee Romero, DBM Secretary Rolando Toledo, Los Baños Mayor Neil Andrew Nocon, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, among other prominent leaders acknowledged for their significant contributions to nation-building and public service.

Lt. Gen. Gumiran was recognized for his exemplary leadership in advancing peace, security, and development in Western and Southern Mindanao through focused military operations, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and people-centered peacebuilding initiatives.

Under his overall supervision and strategic direction, government forces achieved decisive gains against terrorism and insurgency, including the neutralization of several high-value terrorist and insurgent leaders, recovery of numerous fi****ms and war materiel, disruption of extremist networks, and intensified law enforcement support operations against smuggling and transnational crimes. Recent focused operations in Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur significantly weakened the operational capability and leadership structures of local terrorist and communist terrorist groups operating in the region.

Beyond operational accomplishments, Lt. Gen. Gumiran championed the implementation of WESTMINCOM CARES — Collection and Action for Resilience, Economy, and Security, a strategic communication and stakeholder engagement framework that harmonizes military operations with peacebuilding, humanitarian efforts, and community partnerships. Through this initiative, WESTMINCOM strengthened collaboration with local government units, BARMM institutions, peace stakeholders, religious leaders, humanitarian organizations, and communities in pursuit of lasting peace and sustainable development.

Guided by his DMG Leadership and Command Philosophy — “Drive the Information Environment, Mentor and Motivate, and God Above All” — Lt. Gen. Gumiran emphasized that effective security leadership must always be anchored on professionalism, trust-building, unity, and genuine service to the Filipino people.

In his message, Lt. Gen. Gumiran dedicated the recognition to the soldiers of WESTMINCOM, partner agencies, peace stakeholders, and communities who continue to work together in sustaining peace and stability in Mindanao.

“This recognition is not only for me, but for every soldier, stakeholder, peace partner, and community member who continuously contributes to the peace and progress that we now enjoy in many parts of Mindanao. Peace and security are shared responsibilities, and our accomplishments are products of collective effort, unity, and trust,” Lt. Gen. Gumiran said.

The Western Mindanao Command remains committed to conducting focused, intelligence-driven, and community-supported operations while sustaining partnerships that strengthen peace, security, and development across the region.

photo credit to Top News Asia

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